Mary Berry Garlic Potatoes

Mary Berry Garlic Potatoes

Thereโ€™s something deeply comforting about the smell of potatoes and garlic baking in the oven. I first made this dish on a rainy Tuesday, just needing a side that would warm the houseโ€”and my mood.

These garlic potatoes are simple but beautiful. They bake in chicken stock until soft, then finish with a buttery garlic top that turns golden and crisp. Itโ€™s the kind of side that ends up stealing the show. Iโ€™ve served them next to roast chicken, grilled fish, and even alongside a green salad when I didnโ€™t want much else.

The best part? You probably have everything you need already. Potatoes. Butter. Garlic. Letโ€™s do this.

WHAT MAKES THIS RECIPE WORK

This recipe is all about layers of comfortโ€”the potatoes are arranged neatly so they soak up every bit of the stock, then topped with garlic butter that melts in and crisps up.

The method of part-baking first, then increasing the heat, ensures perfectly soft centres and golden edgesโ€”without needing cream or cheese. Itโ€™s indulgent in the simplest way.

INGREDIENTS + WHY THEY MATTER

Butter (75g) โ€“ Split into two parts: one for greasing and one to mix with garlic for the topping.
Potatoes (1kg) โ€“ Medium-sized, waxy varieties like Maris Piper work best. They hold their shape and crisp nicely.
Chicken stock (150ml) โ€“ Adds depth and moisture while baking.
Garlic (1 clove, crushed) โ€“ Subtle and warming. One is enough when mixed into the butter.
Salt + black pepper โ€“ Season in layers. Essential for balance.

MISTAKES Iโ€™VE MADE (AND FIXED)

What Went WrongWhy It HappensHow To Fix It
Potatoes were blandForgot to season in the beginningAdd salt + pepper before baking
Bottom too soggyUsed too much stockStick to 150ml and bake uncovered
Garlic flavour too strongUsed raw garlic chunksCrush it and mix into butterโ€”it mellows as it bakes

HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโ€™S GARLIC POTATOES

Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 200ยฐC (180ยฐC fan) / Gas 6. Grease a shallow 1.75L ovenproof dish with 25g of softened butter.

Layer and Bake
Slice potatoes into 1cm rounds. Arrange in overlapping rows in the dish. Season with salt and pepper. Pour chicken stock over the potatoes. Bake for 30 minutes until just soft.

Make Garlic Butter
Mix remaining 50g butter with crushed garlic.

Crisp the Top
Dot garlic butter over the potatoes. Increase oven temp to 220ยฐC (200ยฐC fan) / Gas 7. Bake for 15 minutes more until golden and crisp on top.

Serve
Serve hot, straight from the oven, with your favourite main dish.

TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN

  • I slice the potatoes evenlyโ€”it helps them cook at the same rate.
  • I always season before bakingโ€”the stock doesnโ€™t carry enough salt alone.
  • I watch the final 5 minutes closelyโ€”crispy edges are great, burnt tops are not.

STORAGE + SERVING

Fridge: Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Reheat: Bake at 180ยฐC for 7โ€“10 minutes until warm and crisp. Microwave works too, but it softens the top.
Serve with: Roast chicken, grilled sausages, or a bowl of soup.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I use vegetable stock instead?
A: Yes, itโ€™ll work just as wellโ€”especially for a vegetarian version.

Q: What if I donโ€™t have Maris Piper potatoes?
A: Use any waxy potato that holds its shapeโ€”Yukon Gold or Charlotte are great too.

Q: Can I prep this in advance?
A: Absolutely. Part-bake the potatoes earlier in the day, then add garlic butter and finish baking just before serving.

Try More Recipes:

Mary Berry Garlic Potatoes

Course: Side DishesCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

45

minutes
Calories

150

kcal

Crispy-edged, buttery, and softly garlickyโ€”these garlic potatoes are comfort food in its simplest form. No cream, no fussโ€”just golden, flavour-packed layers of warmth that work with almost any main.

Ingredients

  • 75g butter, softened

  • 1kg medium-sized potatoes (e.g. Maris Piper), sliced into 1cm rounds

  • 150ml chicken stock

  • 1 garlic clove, crushed

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 200ยฐC (180ยฐC fan). Grease a 1.75L oven dish with 25g butter.
  • Arrange sliced potatoes in overlapping rows. Season well with salt and pepper. Pour chicken stock over the top.
  • Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • Mix remaining 50g butter with garlic. Dot over the top of the potatoes.
  • Increase heat to 220ยฐC (200ยฐC fan) and bake for 15 minutes more until golden and crisp.
  • Serve hot.

Notes

  • I always use waxy potatoesโ€”they hold up and get that lovely crisp edge.
  • I season between the layers lightly to keep every bite balanced.
  • I never skip the garlic butter stepโ€”it transforms the flavour completely.
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